I know there's another thread on this topic, but we have slightly different circumstances. What's a good hotel/hostel in Midtown or lower Manhattan where we can get a double room (for three adults) for no more than $90/night (or $30/head). We'd like a private bathroom, but it's not absolutely necessary. At the minumum, a place that is professional (no folks who try to pass the lack of elevators as an opportunity for exercise), clean, well-maintained and -ventilated, with a TV and is safe and secure. They must accept credit cards. Nearby parking, being on a busy street, and close to an MTA stop would be plusses. I've read about Murray Hill Inn and the Bowery's Whitehouse of New York. Has anybody bunked at these locations, or have any ideas for alternatives? Our target date is Labor Day weekend.

How about trying Priceline.com

Familairize yourself with Priceline by going to Biddingfortravel.com so you will have an idea of what hotels you might end up with in different parts of City under specific star ratings.

Try larchmonthotel.com or portlandsquarehotel.com - not sure if either have rooms large enough for 3 however.

You are really going to get the best deal at priceline.com.

But first go to biddingfortravel.com and click on New York (New York City)- you can see what other people have been getting for the dates you have in mind.

Another option is hotwire.com - but from about 15 - 20 trips, hotwire is great but priceline has been SO unexpectedly great for me in NYC, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Orlando, Key West, St. Louis.

Definitely Priceline! On biddingfortravel, you will see warnings that many NY hotels won't accommodate a third person in the Priceline room, but if I were you, I'd take a chance. If you bid on Midtown East, you can almost certainly get the Courtyard by Marriott for $75. A few days after you win your room, call the hotel to confirm your request for a room with two beds. Labor Day weekend is usually pretty slow in NY, so you shouldn't have any problem getting a room.

You can also try Habitat Hotel, located at 57th between 3rd and Lexington Ave. Not sure if the doubles are large enough for a third, but they have singles and doubles and some with shared baths. If you will take a shared bath, the rates are under $100 at this time of year. www.habitatny.com

First I'd check what's available on www.hotels.com --- they provide discounted rooms and you will at least know the name/location of the hotel you're purchasing. Next option is thru Hotwire --- they also provide good deals, however do not reveal the name of the hotel until you've already purchased it. And then there's priceline --- as others have said, it's critical to do your homework and understand all the rules fully before you proceed.

I'll be heading up to NYC soon. And because I was seeking inexpensive accommadations and was only 3 wks out from my travel date, I opted to use Priceline. Got the Sheraton Hotel & Towers in midtown Manhattan for $87/night. I do realize it's gotten mixed reviews, but has the amenities and hey --- it's a 3-star hotel for $87, so .....

I did do hotels.com first, and unlike priceline, doesn't leave the details up in the air. I found out about West Side Studios and Hotel 17. Has anybody roomed at those places?

I would highly recommend the Travel Inn on 42nd St as a good hotel for your needs. My cousin just stayed there a couple of weeks ago, wit hubby and 3 kids and really enjoyed it. They have free parking for guests and there is also a pool, which would be welcome relief for the heat of the city.

I think they paid under $100 a night.

I also agree with www.hotels.com and pricline.com for more info.

I have heard of the Grand Hyatt going for well under $100 on priceline.

Have a great time while you are here.

Why on Earth would you saty at a place like Hotel 17, with a shared bath, when you can get a nice 2.5* or 3* hotel for the same price on Priceline?

Definitely try priceline or hotwire or lastminutetravel.com

Anonymous, do you have a retainer with Priceline? Or do you have any recommendations for a hotel?

Sure, I recommend the Courtyard by Marriott Midtown East. You can get it for $199 through their web site, or for $75 through Priceline. It's your choice. In case you haven't noticed, most of the other posters on this thread have recommended Priceline, too.

The Priceline shareholders are here constantly, trying to save their company from Chapter 11.

If you're staying for a few nights, Priceline can be quite a gamble. Sickness or travel plan changes and you're out 400 bucks.

Priceline offers trip insurance now.

Yes, I've used Priceline before for air travel, but our comfort needs do not require an intermediary to lower the price. For this hotel stay, I would rather have definite properties in mind, so I can compare fees, policies, and amenities.

Here's a comparison for you: All the $75 Priceline hotels are going to have better amenities than the $75 - 90 non-Priceline options (like private baths). (Not sure what other fees and policies you might have in mind.)

Have you even looked at biddingfortravel? The list of hotels that you might win is actually quite short. I spent an hour a few weeks ago making a little chart of the hotels, zones, prices, reviews, etc. before bidding on my NYC room, and it was well worth the trouble.

It is reprehensible that anyone would accuse helpful contributors here of being "Priceline shareholders".

I personally hope Priceline is not in any financial jeopardy, as I have saved a ton of money, and have been able to travel more often, and stay longer, with Priceline. Best is that we stay in 4* or more places, rather than shopping like the dickens for the most affordable 2-3* accomodations, or less.

When my father died, I was able (online in the middle of the night) to book flights, a hotel room, and car rental, all with Priceline, for about a third of what the total expense would have been through other resources. That I had lots of previous practice with Priceline was an enormous advantage, of course.

I'm also an avid Hotwire user. I've been more pleased with Hotwire hotels, but have gotten (often significantly) lower rates with Priceline.

Anyone who carefully peruses the Bidding for Travel Hotel FAQs learns that the best tactic is to book something you will be satisfied with, then try Priceline closer to your check-in date for the best results and lowest prices.

Whether anyone books with Priceline or Hotwire or not, the very best hotel rates are through the online booking resources (even through some of the hotel's websites directly now, guaranteeing the lowest rate available) that require prepayment.

Priceline may or may not be optimal for the specific long list of needs of "designmr", but it is surely a recommendable possibility.

Don't attack the thread starter. Once again, I'm looking for places, not pricing strategies. I've gone with Priceline before with air travel, and may indeed do it again. For our group on this trip, I'm looking at places to stay. I didn't ask for reservation agents, websites, or discounters; while helpful, I do not appreciate being insulted for what I am considering. I'm looking for accomodations, not insults.

Let me add that I tried hotels.com first because I'd never used that service. I was already familiar with Priceline. While the former gave me some ideas, I may not necessarily go with it. My point is, I am really not trying to compare the two services, despite the tone of my earlier post. Once again, I'm looking for hotel suggestions, and thank you to those who given me actual names.